15 best NHL forwards heading into 2026-27 season

The NHL is heading into the new season with a fresh look and a ton of superstar forwards. Things start early on Sept. 29, when the Carolina Hurricanes raise their championship banner against the Florida Panthers, the first normal September start we've seen outside the bubble year. On top of that, teams are playing an 84-game schedule now under the new collective bargaining agreement.

With those extra games, having elite forwards matters more than ever. Teams need stars who can deliver night after night over a longer grind, and staying healthy will be huge after so many big names got hurt last year.